Combined bit and mouth-opener



(No Model.)

B. N.- HARRIS. V, COMBINEDBIT AND MOUTHOPBNERr No. 523,811. PatentedJuly 31. 1894.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

' ROBERT NELSON HARRIS, or HIoKoRn-NoRT ,oARoLiNA.

COMBINED BIT AND MOUTH-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 523,811, dated July31,1894. Application filed October 30, 1893. Serial No. 489,569- (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT NELSON HAR- MS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Hickory, in the county of Catawba and State ofNorthflarolina, have invented a new and useful Combined Mouth-Opener andBit, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in bits; the objects in View beingto produce a bit that is capable of being employed as an ordinary bitand also as a gag or mouthopener for horses and other animals, wherebythe teeth of the same may receive proper attention, leaving theoperators hands free for working, and also medicines introduced into thethroat, or other operations performed.

-With these and other objectsin View the invention consists in certainfeatures of construction hereinafter specified and particularly pointedout in the claims.

Referringto the drawingsz-Figur6 1 is a general view of a horses head,my device being applied thereto and in position to act as a gag ormouth-opener. Fig. 2 is a detail in 1 perspective of the combined bitand gag, the

parts being in position to act as the latter. Fig. 3 is a similar viewillustrating the mannor of adapting the gag for smaller animals. Fig. 4is a similar View, the device being adapted to serve as an ordinary bit.Fig. 5

is a vertical transversesectional view through the lower portion of thebit.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

In practicing my invention I employ opposite side-bars, which consist ofthe upper and lower extensions 1 and 2, the former 7 terminating inloops 3 and the latter in loops 4. Between these extensions theside-bars are curved or offset rearward, as indicated at 5, and providedwith eyes or loops 6. Below the loops 3 and above the loops 4perforations 7 and 8, respectively, are formed.

The perforations 7 are permanently occupied by an upwardly curved bitbar9, and the lower perforations 8 receive loosely and removably the end ofa curved bit-bar 11. This curved bit-bar 11 may be secured temporarilyin position, and in a manner to be inverted, by any suitable means, inthe present instance through the medium of a nut 12 applied at one endof the bar, the remaining end of said bar being headed as at 13 so as toprevent withdrawal in one direction.

An adjustable noseestrap 14, is located in the upper loops 3, and asimilar chin-band 15-,

is located in the lower loops 4:. 7

An ordinary head-stall16 is employed in connection with the combined bitand gag, and has its cheek-straps 1 7 connected to the loops 6 in theusualmanner.

When employed as an ordinary bit the bitbar 9, that which is fixed tothe upper ends of the side-bars, is inserted in the mouth, thehead-stall being placed upon the head like an ordinary bridle and thenose-band passed about the nose. The driving-lines or reinsaresubstituted for the chin-band 15, the latter being removed. To allappearances the device is now an ordinary driving-bit, and serves thefunctions of such.

If it be desired to employ. 198311119585 a gag or mouth-opener, thelower bit-bar'll, is placed in position, the mouth opened, and the twobars forced between the upper and lower jaws of the animal, thehead-stall being em ployed as before. It will now be seen that theanimals mouth is held open and cannot possibly close by reason of thebars, the device being'held in position by the head-stall and nose and vchin -straps. Anyoperation upon the teeth may be carried on, or otheroperations usually performed may also take place, or, if theanimalshould be choked, the I space between the bars is sufficient topermit the operator to pass his hands between the same and to remove theobstruction. be seen that both hands of the operator are free tooperate, and no further attention 'need be given to the device andretention of it in position as the head-stall and nose and chinstrapsperform this useful function.

If it be desired to apply the device to smaller animals the same may besuccessfully accomplished by reversing or inverting the position of thelower bit-bar, so thatit curves upward in the same direction as theupper bar. This may be accomplished by remov- It will roe furthermoremay be employed for successfully drenching or giving medicines to theanimals, or performing any operation whatever upon the throat or monthwithout dangerhof the gag slipping and interfering therewit I do notlimit my invention to the precise construction herein described andshown, but hold that I may vary the same to any degree and extentwithinthe knowledgeot' the skilled mechanic.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A bit, comprising theopposite side bars provided at their upper ends with loops to receive anose band and having at their lower ends loops adapted to receive eithera chin band or driving reins, said side bars being provided with theintermediate offset portions to receive the cheek straps, an upperpermanent bit bar located above the ofiset portions of the side bars,and a lower bit bar detachably secured to the side bars below the offsetportions thereof, and adapted to be removed, whereby the bit is capableof being employed as an ordinary driving bit and as a gag ormouth-opener, substantialIy as described. it

2. In a bit, the combination with the opposite side-bars having theupper and lower extensions 1 and 2 provided with loops 3 and 4respectively, and between the same having ROBERT NELSON HARRIS.

Witnesses:

WM. P. HUFFMAN, W. B. SOUTHERLAND.

